Training missiles turned into weapons: The Russian move that weighs on Ukraine

Russia has converted RM48U training missiles into attack weapons and is using them extensively against Ukraine. More than half of the 228 ballistic missiles launched in July and early August were of this type. The move allows Moscow to wear down Ukrainian defenses and reserve its Iskander missiles for continued fighting, while Ukraine has nearly exhausted its Patriot interceptor stockpile.

Russia has converted RM48U training missiles, originally intended as targets for air defense systems, into attack weapons against Ukraine. According to Ukrainian data obtained by Reuters, more than half of the 228 ballistic and hypersonic missiles launched at Ukraine during July and early August were converted RM48U missiles. The converted missiles are less accurate and less powerful than Iskander missiles, but their use allows Russia to continue broad attacks without quickly depleting its advanced missile stockpile. At the same time, the sheer number of launches forces Ukraine to use its remaining interceptors. The move comes at a particularly difficult time for Kyiv, as according to Reuters, Ukraine has nearly exhausted its stockpile of American Patriot interceptors, considered its primary means of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. The data indicates a shift in launch patterns: in July, Russia launched 38 Iskander missiles, compared to over 100 the previous month, while the use of RM48U missiles surged. It was also reported that the move may allow Russia to reserve its more advanced missiles for winter, when it is expected to intensify attacks on critical infrastructure in Ukraine, including power and heating facilities.